Baisu Review: A Haunted House Horror That Hits Hard
Plunging into the world of "Baisu" feels like stepping into a haunted carnival ride, one where every creak and groan of the wooden floor sends shivers down your spine. Triple Duck Studio's latest indie horror offering might not be perfect, but damn, does it know how to mess with your head in all the right ways.
Atmosphere and Visuals
First things first, the atmosphere in "Baisu" is top-notch. The game masterfully uses its Unreal Engine to create a hauntingly beautiful environment. The body cam effect is a stroke of genius, adding an extra layer of immersion that makes you feel like you’re the one exploring the dark, decrepit house. Rain effects on the camera? Hell yes. It’s small details like these that pull you deeper into the game’s eerie world. The lighting is spot-on, casting just enough shadow to keep you on edge without plunging you into total darkness.
Gameplay and Mechanics
Now, let’s talk gameplay. Moving around in "Baisu" can be a bit like trying to steer a shopping cart with a wonky wheel – not the smoothest experience, but you get where you need to go. The absence of a sprint feature is a bit of a pain, especially when you’re trying to escape the creepy vibes quickly. But honestly, the deliberate pacing adds to the tension. You’re forced to confront the horror head-on, no running away.
The game does rely heavily on classic horror tropes – jump scares, flickering lights, and spooky sounds. While some might see this as a negative, I say bring it on. The scares are effective, and the ambiance is dripping with dread. The jump scares, while sometimes repetitive, still manage to catch you off guard. And that’s what we’re here for, right? To get scared out of our wits.
Sound Design
Sound design in "Baisu" is a mixed bag. On one hand, the ambient noises and horror stings are creepy as hell. On the other hand, the footsteps can be misleading, making it sound like someone is trailing you. This confusion can pull you out of the experience momentarily, but it’s not a deal-breaker. The voice acting is decent, though the AI-generated voices can be a bit jarring. They do the job, but a bit more polish here would go a long way.
The Dog Companion
Bella, the dog, is a nice touch. She doesn’t do much, but her presence adds a bit of comfort amidst the chaos. Her commands are straightforward, and while she’s not heavily involved in the gameplay, having her around makes the journey a tad less lonely. More interactions with Bella could elevate the gameplay significantly, so here’s hoping Triple Duck Studio takes note for future updates or titles.
Puzzles and Replayability
The puzzles in "Baisu" range from mind-numbingly simple to satisfyingly complex. The painting puzzle is a standout, requiring some actual thought and offering a nice break from the usual key-fetching missions. The game’s non-linear nature means you can explore different parts of the house in various orders, which is a nice touch. Multiple endings provide a reason to dive back in, and trust me, you’ll want to see how things could have turned out differently.
Narrative and Immersion
"Baisu" weaves a creepy narrative through environmental storytelling and scattered notes. While the story might not be groundbreaking, it’s compelling enough to keep you engaged. The main gripe here is that some plot points feel underdeveloped. More cutscenes or scripted events could flesh out the story, making the scares more meaningful. Despite this, the game’s setting and atmosphere do a lot of heavy lifting, creating a genuinely spooky experience.
Bugs and Technical Issues
Yes, "Baisu" has its fair share of bugs. Keys disappearing, settings not saving, and occasional lag spikes can be frustrating. But let’s cut Triple Duck Studio some slack – this is an indie title, after all. The devs have shown they’re committed to patching and updating the game, so expect improvements over time.
Final Score
Triple Duck Studio has crafted a memorable horror experience with "Baisu." It’s creepy, immersive, and, most importantly, fun. With a bit more polish and some tweaks, this game could go from good to great. For now, it’s a solid entry in the indie horror genre and a promising sign of what’s to come from this talented team. Keep an eye on these guys – they’re onto something special.
Final Score: 8/10
We at NLM received a key for this game for free, this however didn’t impact our review in any way.